Hello, and my name is Jaenee, aspiring writer. I hope you enjoy this little fic as it unfolds…even I am not sure how it will end at this point. Reviews are always welcome as I am looking for constructive criticism and praise. If you like something, tell me and it you don't like something, tell me even sooner. All I ask is that you keep in mind that I have feelings Thanks and enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ, but of course you know that.
Fit for a King
Chapter 1: lessons and words
A young Saiyan girl ran through the forests surrounding her home in the mountains of Vegeta-sei. Her blue hair and tail flying freely behind her, she broke the trees onto an open plain. Her simple home lay ahead and she rushed through the door.
"Hello everyone, I'm home," she cried. Soft murmurs of acknowledgement echoed through the space. "Geez are you guys dead in here?" Heading into an open living space, she saw her brothers and Chichi…sitting in the room, practically on opposite sides of the room, engrossed in their own activities. Raditz was reading what must have been the daily report from the capital since that was the only thing he ever read. Chichi, her face scrunched in frustration, was attempting to conquer the sewing in front of her. She was not winning at the moment. And then there was Kakkarot. He sat reading a colorful piece of paper, eyes wide with wonder.
"Whatcha' readin', Kakkarot?" she asked, sitting down next to him. He turned and smiled, then revealed the paper and she gasped.
"Found it in dad's room. Isn't it cool, Bulma? Our first tournament!"
"Read the fine print before she gets too excited," Raditz said without looking up from his reading. Bulma beat him to it and sighed.
"Well, you both may not be old enough this year but at least you eventually get to compete," Chichi said angrily at her stitching. So that is why she is so frustrated thought Bulma. Bulma sat down next to her friends and tried to show her support. As Chikyu-gin, Chichi and her mother, Tanya, were often left out of certain rituals on Vegeta-sei. This one particularly, since no matter how much training Chichi received she would still be only human. Chichi finally decided there was no point in pretending and launched her stitching at the wall with a growl. She looked at Bulma and huffed. Bulma smiled.
"Guess I have to represent the family in the tournament," Raditz said smugly.
"Not entirely," a voice said from the doorway and in walked Bardock. "You don't think I would be sitting out now, do you?" he said, flashing a feral grin.
"I heard the Prince is competing as well, father?" Kakkarot asked. Bardock smiled.
"Indeed he is."
"Your toast, Raditz," Bulma said assuredly from her seat, and Chichi practically snorted with laughter. Raditz glared, but held his tongue. If the rumors were true, anyone facing the Prince would be toast. The Legendary he thought. Bardock sat down next to Bulma and Chichi and sighed, as if contented.
"So, Kakkarot," Bardock said, catching his eye, "in my room again, I see?"
"I was hoping to find another picture of mother," he confessed, not hiding the need in his eyes. Bardock smirked.
"You are far too sentimental, boy," he growled, looking directly at Kakkarot. Neither looked away. Then Bardock relaxed and closed his eyes. "You get that from your mother." Kakkarot beamed and Bulma couldn't help but smile. His smile was as infectious as the plague. No one could resist. Even Raditz had a smile behind his eyes. Then he resumed his proper Saiyan demeanor.
"Don't indulge him," Raditz complained. "The last thing we need is for Kakkarot to go about court, simpering about his emotions." Bardock laughed loud and hard. The children looked surprised.
"True enough, Raditz. However, I am sure Kakkarot will avoid discussing his emotional nature while studying at the capital." Kakkarot nodded. He then turned to look at Raditz. "You would do well to learn from your brother. His emotional response may be a hindrance and an irritation in daily life but it will give him much easier access to his fighting potential. True warriors do not suppress or stifle their emotion; they simply harness it and control it to their benefit." Raditz sneered. "Don't give me that look, boy. I know what I speak of. Your mother was a first class Elite, and a woman to boot. Not an easy feat by any stretch. Yet she was just as emotionally inclined as Kakkarot. Some of the best warriors at the capital also have emotional tendencies though what those emotions are is debatable." Bardock chuckled again as if remembering something.
"When do we leave for the capital, dad?" Bulma asked excitedly. He smiled and tousled her hair playfully.
"In 3 days we will leave. We are staying at the palace so I expect perfection. And since our accommodations are so lofty," he turned a sad eye to Chichi, "I am sorry, Chi, but you have to stay behind." Chichi looked sadly at Bulma and they laid back into the couch. Just then two hands dropped onto Bardock's shoulders, and Tanya spoke.
"Chichi and I will be fine. At this point, four Saiyans are difficult to live with," she said with a smile. "I couldn't imagine an entire palace full." Bardock laughed and placed his hand on one of Tanya's. Tanya had been a friend of Bulma's mother, Rita. After Chikyu-sei was integrated into the Saiyan Empire, Tanya left to join her friend, her only remaining loved one after her husband's death. Rita welcomed her as did Bardock and a few months later, they welcomed Chichi. Bulma was six months old at the time. When Rita became sick a few years later, Tanya helped care for her and prolonged her life. A few months after its onset, the disease took Rita's life. Tanya took over daily care of the children and had become, most definitely to Bulma and Kakkarot, the mother that they lost. Bulma loved her as much as her own mother. But they were not from Vegeta-sei nor were they visiting diplomats or royalty, which meant the palace was off limits to them as a residence.
"I am glad we don't live there," Bulma piped up, trying to cheer Chichi. "Would be crowded and full of stinky boys." The barracks for the Elites and trainers were housed on the palace grounds. They would be everywhere. Chichi shrugged.
"I would still love to see the capital," she said, looking at her mother. Tanya had not left the area since Rita's death. Bardock looked at her and broke.
"Chichi, if your mother will go, I can house you both in my quarters of the science wing. It i directly off palace grounds. But you can't stay unattended and we have to answer the invitation to the palace. Raditz must be presented." Raditz was of age for training. Chichi beamed at him and then pouted at her mother. Tanya stood little chance to hold out. She nodded her consent and Chichi whooped with joy. Bulma smiled and Kakkarot launched off the chair he was in to lift her in the air.
"You get to sit and watch from the stands with us," he commented setting her down. She nodded, flushing across her cheeks from the activity. Tanya moved to the kitchen.
"Dinner is ready by the way," she said. Kakkarot and Raditz immediately focused on the table and ran to the other room. Chichi hugged her mother and they walked in as well. Bardock rose and started to leave when Bulma asked, "Why did you never try to become an Elite, father?" He turned and then sat again.
"I am, in fact, a third class Elite. I might have gone farther but not many Saiyans are gifted in the areas of science and math. Being as intelligent as I was, and considering the missions your mother took in her duties, it was decided that I would be more useful on Vegeta-sei." Bulma sat thoughtfully looking at her father and then she smiled.
"I am glad you stayed with us, dad," she stated matter of factly. He looked at her and smiled.
"It did have its advantages," he said and then picked her up. She growled playfully and they giggled, wrapping her tail protectively around his forearm. She was his angel, her delicate little warrior. Now how long I get to keep you is another thing entirely he thought, sadly. But to Bulma, he smirked. "Little monkey, I'm hungry and if you do not get me to the table soon, I am likely to eat you!" She laughed and they went to the kitchen. That night and the days leading up to their departure were pleasant and quiet. The family, such as they were, had found a measure of peace on a hectic and battle ready planet. Only Bardock seemed to become tenser as the day of the tournament drew nearer. He sensed that his life would be altered; that the fragile life they had built would be forever changed. Only he knew the truth.